New Mexico gas company finds ‘minuscule’ leak in Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Santa Fe home

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: An investigation was done by a local gas company at Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s home in New Mexico after their deaths in late February.

The actor, 95, and his pianist wife, 65, were discovered dead in suspicious conditions on February 26, alongside their dog Zinna, 12.

Now, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department, citing the New Mexico Gas Company, said that they found a “minuscule” leak in one of the stove burners, the Independent reported.

Gas leak did not play role in Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths

However, the Sheriff's Office update also noted that “there were no significant findings. NMGC did issue five (5) red tags. One red tag was for a minuscule leak (0.33% gas in air – not a lethal amount) at one of the stove burners.”

“The other four red tags were for code enforcement violations -not involving gas leaks or carbon monoxide – involving a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces,” it read, according to USA Today.

The update also stated that the findings “are not believed to be a factor in the deaths of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa or their dog.”

Gene Hackman may have died in mid-February

This comes after last week during a media conference, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared that an “initial interrogation was conducted of Mr Hackman's pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025.”

“I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed,” he continued, before mentioning that “according to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life.”

In addition, Mendoza said that it was “difficult to determine” if the husband and wife died on the same day.

He noted, “There’s no indication that anybody was moving about the house or doing anything different, so it’s very hard to determine if they both passed at the same time or how close they passed together.”

“We’re trying to put that information together. I think the autopsy report is going to be key to this investigator,” the sheriff added.

Gene Hackman ‘sorely’ missed by his family

Meanwhile, the Oscar winner’s family is believed to be devastated after their deaths.

The actor’s two daughters — Elizabeth and Leslie — and his granddaughter Annie said in a statement, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife.”

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss,” they added.